Korean Job Discussion Forums

[irishsox28]

I might be moving to teach in Seoul, and my biggest concern for myself is living with my seafood allergy in Korea. Fish and shellfish seems to be such an important part of their cuisine is it possible for me to easily avoid all seafood and still eat well? As most kimchi is fermented with shrimp, I'd have to not eat it at all. Would this be considered an insult to Koreans with whom I may be dining? How difficult would this be for me to do? I'm nervous that I may accidentally eat a dish that was made with seafood in some way and become really sick.

[Jeweltone]

It is possible, but you HAVE to be firm. Many Koreans believe allergies are "all in your head" or an excuse not to eat what is put in front of you (I also have several seafood allergies - not fun!). Watch out for kimbap.

If it becomes an issue at work (after-hours socializing), you might go to one of the foreigner-friendly clinics and get a doctor's note in Korean.

[Starla]

You're right, you will have to avoid kimchi and many Korean foods. They sneak in fish for flavoring wherever they could here. Sometimes, you can't even detect the taste or the physical evidence. I would purchase my own food here just to play it safe and prepare it myself. Reading Korean labels might be a bit tricky unless you know Korean. There are foreign food markets here though so I would shop there for prepared food and shop for the basics in Korean stores.

I don't know if Koreans would find it offensive if you didn't eat their food but you would have to explain yourself to every Korean who offered you food...which they have a habit of doing here since food sharing is big here. I eat school lunch at my public school and there's some kind of fish based dish they serve up every day. Best of luck and let me know if you need help finding those foreign food marts.

[BritishinSuwon]

I've been in Korea for two years, just about to start my third year, and I too have a seafood allergy. I avoid anything I am unsure of, and generally most people I've dealt with are quite nice and understanding when you explain why you won't eat a certain item.
That being said, make sure you pack a stock of epi pens. I have had two really bad reactions while here, and thankfully I had my pens close enough to me to offset any really bad effects, but it's good to be prepared, because you may never know when you'll come in contact with something accidentally.

[Starla]

[Crockpot2001]

On two occassions I was with a Korean dining out, they ordered for me and made it obvious to the staff that shellfish could kill me. The food showed up with shellfish or with a broth of shellfish. When asked about it the staff shrugged.

I was warned that attention to details is bad here and this has proven true and dangerous. I have my pen with me when dining out even at the beef and leaf places.

[IlIlNine]

[irishsox28]

is it easy to tell which places are "beef and leaf"?

[Starla]

[Crockpot2001]

[njp6]

OP it depends on how bad your allergies are. I am allergic to peanuts and shellfish. When I get poisoned here (which tends to be once every 1-2 months), I usually just take Benedril, try to sleep, and sometimes puke my guts out. Not fun, but it doesn't kill me. I have an epipien in case things get bad.

If your allergies are tolerable, like mine, I'd say go for it, but do be strict about avoiding all seafood related dishes. If you need and epi-pen shot each time you get dosed, that's a little different. I did know a person who was highly allergic to shellfish here and he survived, but eating at Korean joints was stressful.

Most Koreans will respect if you have an allergy.

[stimpleton]

My wife and I have similar problems - I'm allergic to garlic, she's allergic to egg. It can be a bit challenging, but basically if we're not 100% sure that what we're eating is safe, we don't eat it. We cook a lot of our own food, and we've learned 'safe' restaurants to eat at - Subway is perfect!!
We've found people are fairly good when we explain we can't eat something because of allergies, and except for once (when our Korean friend ordered the food, explained about the allergies and made sure the waitress understood) haven't really had issues. The once, we found the manager after the meal, which I had stopped eating(too late), explained the situation and didn't have to pay. Some consolation at least.
Our allergies are not life threatening. OP, if yours is, please do follow others' advice and make sure you have an epi pen with you. All it takes is one small mistake and it could be game over.

[Papa Smurf]

they wont be offended.

i have a student who is allergic to seafood. they will understand.

[Gatsby]

njp6:

[njp6]

I've got my Benedril in the states, stocked up on it there. You can get anti-histamines here though. Just go to the ear-nose-throat doctors, tell them about your allergies and they will give you something that should work.